OCR Text |
Show By DELI VAN ORDEN Church News Assistant Editor NEW YORK CITY, N Y. The beautiful 8 New York City Visitors Center, located in midtown Manhattan near famed Cent-?,- ! Park, was dedicated Sunday, May 25, by President Spencer W. Kimball. President Kimba" armed in New York City May 22 and conducted his first New York City press conference May 23 While m the nations largest citv, bp met with missionaries of the New York New York City Mission, attended a concert of the Utah Symphony in Carnegie Hall and attended a New York Y ankees baseball game. In his dedicatory address, President Kimball said, There have been congregations and groups of members of this Church in New York City from the beginning of the restoration 145 years ago To this mission has come a large number of men of importance and renown to proselyte and to organize. We have noted that at least two of the 12 presidents of the Church and many of the apostles have been to this city to contribute toward its conversion. President Kimball noted that his grandfather, Heber C. Kimball, was one uf the many who proselyted in the area There were many conversions in the city of New York and its environs, President Kimball continued, but because of the strength of the doctrine of the gathering of saints, many moved west aftei headquarters had been established in Salt Lake City and some even toNauvoo, 111 in the earlier days." President Kimball also spoke of the history of New York City, calling it a great, dominating city and the most interesting spot in the Empire State. He recalled the purchase of the area from the Indians for $24 worth of beads and said, Possibly they may have thought that those beads represented the value of this property, and many times I have wondered if the specific Indian leaders who made the trade ever regretted their having made such an uneven one President Kimball also told of the city's heritage in the arts, music, business, fashion and entertainment. In the press conference, President Kimball told the New York reporters and photographer s n.aiiy of ihc bathiof the Church He explained the missionary, youth and building programs; the Word of Wisdom; tithing, revelation, edueKot and the LDS concept of family life Were glad to tell the world about our programs, he said. President Kimball said the most important thing in this nation is for families to maintain a powerful home life If we can keep families strong, then we can count on the growth of the nation. he said ngs The president emphasized the worldwide aspects of the Church. He told of the history of the Church and how it was organized in New York State and of the subsequent persecutions After the pioneers went west, it was pretty much a Utah church, and then it states, and expanded to the then to the United States, and then to the whole world, President Kimball explained Were very proud of the growth of the Church, he said, as he explained that every two days, three Church buildirgs are dedicated somewhere in the world About 500 chapels and other buildings are constructed each year throughout the world, he said. In the past couple of decades, we have more than doubled our membership while many other churches have boarded up their doors, said President Kimball During the press conference, President Kimball presented an award to Howard S. Meighan, a CBS official who was instrumental in starting Tabernacle Choir reeordmgs The award, a replica of the Tabernacle Organ pipes on a hand-sculptur- Newly dedicated visitors center and facilities for ward, stake and mission are included in this bulilding complex. plaque, was giv en in appreciation of Mr Meignans help. Prior to the press conference, President Kimball and his party toured the visitors center and other facilities of the building The visitors center, at Two I incoln Square, is part of an overall complex that includes a center for the New York City New York Stake, facilities for two wards and the branch, offices for the New York New York City Mission and a genealogy branch library. All of the facilities were dedicated with the visitors center. The visitors center features a wide variety of exhibits, dioramas and audiovisual displays designed to inform visitors about the Church and some of its programs and beliefs. The ward and stake facilities include a chapel, a cultural hall, Relief Society room. Junior Sunday School room, classrooms and kitchen Following the press conference. President Kimball visited with specially invited government, business, industry and church dignitaries from the New York area. Two of the more popular guests were Mormon athlete Johnny Miller, who was m New York City to receive the Sports Father of the Year Award, and former world heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Dempsey Spanish-speakin- with former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey. g Brother Miller told the Church News, very missionary oriented. I feel my call is to do missionary work by example. People see the happiness in my life because Im a member of the Church Jack Dempsey, who will soon be 80, said going through the visitors center was a great experience and that the center was impressive. Both visited at separate tunes with President Kimball, who said to Brother Miller, Were always pulling for you. Concerning the visitors center, President Kimball told the Church News that he was very pleased with the center. It has great potential. I think anyone who comes in here wilh an honest heart will be benefitted. He said the principal emphasis of the center will be to explain the teachings and history of the Church. The president said much good can come from the New York Visitors Im Center Invited residents of Manhattans west side toured the facility May 24, followed by public tours May 26, which will continue through June 8. The visitors center features four basic segments; a welcoming and uitormation area where guided tours a multi-medi- a presentation and a learning center. will start, an animated diorama, WEEK ENDING MAY juiimminffTiwn tfwmaugli i'll! 31, 1975 9 CHURCH 3 |